Forgiven…….by Dusty dog!

Have you ever made a decision or a choice that you always wished you could ‘undo’? You know…the little things that you always look back on with that oh so awful feeling of regret? I have….but, I am learning that those decisions/choices are part of God’s plans…that He truly does use them in ways that we may never know….but, sometimes, he gives us a glimpse to see that we do need to forgive ourselves and others…..because He truly does forgive and he ‘chooses’ not to remember.

How does this relate to a dog named: Dusty?? In June of 1998, Rob and I went to the NC State Fairgrounds….and fell in love with a little Cattle Dog, who was the runt of his litter. I could not leave him, so home he went with us. He was my baby…he even slept on my pillow. He moved into our home and our hearts.

In April of 2003, I made a decision that impacted me and our family forever. We had a 20 month old son and a 4 month old daughter…and I was melting fast into a deep Post Partum depression, I was working full time and we were in the process of trying to sell our home and move into one that was bigger. Poor Dusty was not receiving the love and attention he had had for so long….so, I asked my hubby to adopt him out. For 7 years, I have wondered what ever happened to our furry baby. I never forgave myself for making that decision…..and I lived with the guilt every day…he was never far from my thoughts.

A little more than a week ago, I received a call from a person, Chris, who said she was the one who had adopted Dusty….and she wanted to call and tell us what an awesome Dog he is….his name is now Ranger and he has impacted her life and the lives of so many people…..and has just been an amazing addition to her family. She lives on a farm….cattle, horses, chickens, other dogs….and a lake! Dusty/Ranger, has litterally lived the past 7 years in Doggy heaven! She not only wanted to tell us about Dusty, but invited us out to meet her and spend some time with that fur ball that used to sleep on my head!

What a day! Their farm is truly beautiful and Dusty/Ranger….while he is an old doggy now…still has that spark. By the end of the day, we felt he remembered us. What a great way to spend a Saturday. I watched all of my kids, both human and furry, frolic in the lake together. The kids were littlerally in dog Heaven with Dusty…playing, throwing sticks and just being kids playing in the water on the pond.

That day….began to show me, how truly big God’s plan is. He has used Dusty in so many ways….to help others and to reach out and to give love where love was needed. The guilt is gone….the good memories remain….and the thoughts of spending more days with Chris, her husband, Kirk, thanks to Debbie who took Dusty to Chris……sitting on the edge of their lake…watching our Dusty Dog with our three children…running and playing….being kids and the adults, truly having time to engage in the present because the past has been reconciled!

I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for rousing Chris to call us….for showing her our number and for her being obedient and loving us….complete strangers and allowing us the opportunity to truly see the beauty in forgiving ourselves and sharing her love with us!

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